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Chumby One Answered

Zachninme first turned me on to the Chumby, and if you haven't heard, they're coming out with a new version called the Chumby One. It's going to cost $120 (as opposed to the classic's $200), but if you pre-order it, you can get it for $100. The new one is plastic instead of bean baggy and has a retro feel. There are a few other new features, such as a rechargeable battery compartment, as well. I ordered mine a few days ago, who else is getting one?

And to any developers out there, I'd like to suggest an instructables widget! Ideally, you'd be able to view a particular instructable. Imagine being able to carry it around instead of printing out a copy/carrying a laptop. I don't know much about the limits of widgets, but if you can't search for one via the chumby, maybe you could send it to the chumby from the computer with a log on? If anybody's interested in developing that, I'll help test it once I get mine ;)

Update: Apparently Ewilhelm is ahead of the game. He's already made a widget that shows recent instructables. It would still be awesome to be able to choose the instructable, however.

If you don't know what a chumby is, it's an "internet appliance." A Chumby is a small box with a 3.5 inch touch screen, speakers, an accelerometer, a usb port and of course, wifi. It's mostly useless if it can't connect to the internet (either with wifi or a USB Ethernet converter) because everything you do streams from chumby.com. You set up channels of widgets (user written applications that include everything from games and internet radio to RSS feeds and sports scores). You pick a channel and it will rotate through the widgets that are on it. You can also set it to switch to certain channels at certain times (alarm clock, etc)

This will be my first one, but I'm super pumped to get it. I think the reduced price lasts through the end of the month, but don't hold me to it.

I went to the site and read the comments and what it did and thought mainly how many times I wish I had something to watch while I am cooking in the kitchen or doing my hair in the bathroom, also I thought my son (12 years old) would love the games and stay off my computer. I love gadgets Jayefuu, It took me about 5 minutes to decide. Are you going to get one?

I will let you know how I like it. I don't think it needs an ible though, I went to the site again and it seems to all be there, you sign in and pick the stuff you want to view, I am looking forward to the podcasts.